A Happy New Year again to one and all!
Many of us, by now, are winding down and psyching one’s self for the back-to-work, back-to-reality setting.
I don’t know about you, but I’m still a bit hungover from all the Christmas celebrations and get-togethers! Boy, I missed all the reunions and being with all my friends and family in the flesh!
Imagine, we haven’t had a proper reunion for the past two years!
So, this past year’s Christmas Season was truly, truly special!
What about you?
Did you miss the get-togethers?
What did you miss about them?
As for me, I missed seeing my god-sons and daughters and pamangkins and how I’d ask them what grade they’re in already and if they’d have crushes and dates already, haha!
Other things I missed are all the kamustahans and stories shared. I yearned for these in-person heart-to-heart talks with close friends and relatives because of the unmistakable sense of love and support for one another during these moments.
Also, there’s no denying I missed the potluck! Merry Christmas eating, indeed!
Then, there’s always the exciting and joyful part of meeting new family members–babies!
Seeing family babies during reunions never stops short of being magic!
And, as we waited for our turn to carry and cuddle the baby, we’d ask what their name was and listen to the parents explain why they gave that name.
Speaking of names, I remember when I was on the way with my boys.
Rico and I read through lists of names and chose our sons’ names– names that would have special meanings and reflect the values and qualities of people we look up to and what we wanted our sons to live by in their lives.
I also begin to reflect on the significance of one exceptional name in our lives: Jesus.
Today, we celebrate the Feast of The Most Holy Name of Jesus.
It is a very timely feast because as we all have finished celebrating His coming or His birthday, we progress to knowing the baby Jesus more.
Our Savior is indeed born, and He is among us. So, His birthday celebration didn’t stop last Christmas, only for us to remember and celebrate it again next year.
The baby Jesus wants to come into our lives; part of that is welcoming Him and, of course, knowing Him.
Like any new baby in the family, we get to know His name first and understand its meaning.
However, unlike all other newborns, His name is infinitely more special because His name means our salvation. Everything about Him, starting with His name, is about bringing peace, genuine joy, and eternal life to us.
It is written: “... at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bend...”
We should therefore look more closely and have a richer appreciation of who He is, His coming, and His ministry.
Christmas is just the beginning, and His Most Holy Name tells us already of eternal life and salvation we all can look forward to.